Close Knit Volunteers Donate Hundreds of Teddy Bears

An army of hand knitted and crocheted teddies have been donated to Staffordshire Police to comfort children during upsetting experiences.

Compassionate crafters from knitting groups across the county, including Cannock, Heath Hayes, Lichfield and Werrington have created dozens of teddies which will be used to comfort young children who are involved in distressing incidents.

The campaign has been led by Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) Ash Goodwin and Claire Reeves after the idea was suggested to them by local community members who had spotted the bears being used by other police forces.

The idea initially comes from Australia, where firefighters would give children teddy bears to comfort them after fleeing from bush fires that had destroyed their homes and belongings.

The colourful little bears are now being distributed to various teams across the force, to hand out to children officers meet in difficult circumstances, such as being involved in a car crash, or being a witness of crime.

Staffordshire Moorlands PCSO Ash Goodwin, said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has given their time to knitting and kindly donating the bears.

“The Werrington Knitter Natter Group created an astonishing 90 teddies in just six weeks and plan to keep making even more!

“The bears will be kept at police stations and in police vehicles and put to good use by providing comfort to children in an upsetting situation. They will also help to build a relationship with the officers who have come to help them.”

Chief Inspector Sarah Wainwright, of Cannock Chase District Local Policing Team, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the incredibly talented people from each knitting group who have made the teddies for us. They have given up their own time and resources to make a real difference for children across their communities.”

Anyone who would like to donate wool to the scheme, or pick up a copy of the knitting pattern to create their own teddy or two, can do so by emailing Claire.Reeves@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk